Water surfacf devices



Nov. 9, 1965 w. R. INGOLD, JR

WATER SURFACE DEVICES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 18, 1964 3 j INVENTOR. WILL /AM P. I/VGOLQJR.

BYAGHUQMW 1955 w. R. INGOLD, JR 3,216,031

WATER SURFACE DEVICES Filed March 18, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 f QT5 J Hi...

I NVENTOR.

WILL/AM R. I/VGOLD, JR.

n ay 1965 w. R. INGOLD, JR 3,216,031

WATER SURFACE DEVICES Filed March 18, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN'VENTOR. W/L L/AM R. //V60L 0, JR.

duo K4474 F HQ United States Patent 3,216,031 WATER SURFACE DEVICES William R. Ingold, Jr., P.O. Box 211, Gurnee, Ill. Filed Mar. 18, 1964, Ser. No. 353,320 6 Claims. (Cl. 9-310) This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Serial No. 317,600, filed October 21, 1963, now abandoned and entitled Water Surface Device.

This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in water sport equipment and more particularly to a unique surfboard and to a water surface device which combines a center ski and the surfboard and which is provided with an improved attachment arrangement for joining the device to a tow line.

In conventional water sport procedures, such as water skiing (one surface device for each foot of the user) and surfboard riding (both feet on one surface device), the main requisite for a successful operation is of course the maintenance of balance. The problem of balance is especially accentuated during the initial startup when the sudden acceleration of a prime mover tensions a towline connected between the prime mover vehicle and the body of the user on the Water surface device. In one of its aspects, this invention is designed to minimize balancing problems in a water surface device, both during startup and during actual running conditions, and concurrently to provide an entirely unique type of water surface device which can be utilized for a safe yet thrilling ride.

The water surface device described herein takes the form of a center ski having a superstructure surfboard of unique construction carried thereon. Supporting stilts are provided between the center ski and the surfboard so that a user may position himself atop the surfboard in order to ride relatively low in the water so as to achieve a spray stabilized operation or to ride relatively high in the water so as to achieve a free-floating delicately balanced operation. The stilts are releasably secured between the center ski and the surfboard so that the device may be readily disassembled for transportation, storage, or use as a surfboard itself.

In another of its aspects, the invention takes the form of the unique surfboard itself. The said surfboard is provided with a central stabilizing rib and with an otherwise hollow interior in order to decrease the overall weight of the device, to insure its floatability, and to minimize the cost of manufacture. Preferably, the said hollow surfboard is formed by sandwiched imposition of two plywood lamina which are suitably joined at their respective peripheries.

A still further feature of the invention is provided in the form of a simple yet unique ball and socket haulage arrangement for detachably interconnecting a towline to a water surface device as required.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a water surface device characterized by a combination of a center ski and a superstructure surfboard in order to achieve a wide degree of versatility and safety in the operating characteristics of the device.

It is an equally important object of this invention to provide a simple and reliable adjustable attachment arrangement for cooperation of a towline with the water surface device so that the tensile force pulling the device may be applied directly to the device itself, as for example for startup and for relatively low speed stable operations, or indirectly to the device via the users body, as for example for relatively high speed operations.

It is a related object of this invention to provide a simple and inexpensible ball and socket haulage arrangement for releasably interconnecting the twoline and the water surface device so that the tensile pulling force may 3,216,031 Patented Nov. 9, 1965 be shifted from direct application to the water surface device itself -to the indirect application to the water surface device via the body of the user positioned thereupon and so that the tensile pulling force applied directly to the device itself may be utilized for a relatively low-speed stable operation, as for example that required by a beginner.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a collapsible water surface device in the form of a center ski combined with a superstructure surfboard carried thereby, which device can be readily disassambled for transportation, storage, or use of the surfboard itself and which can be provided with varying degrees of spacing between the center ski and the surfboard in order to suit the needs of a particular user.

It is still another object of this invention to achieve either spray stabilized relatively submerged riding characteristics or free-floating delicately balanced riding characteristics for a water surface device in accordance with the desires of the user thereof.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an inexpensive combined surfboard and center ski water surface device in which the surfboard is made hollow in order to decrease the weight of the overall structure without detracting from its stability and in order to insure floatability of the device.

It is a related object of this invention to provide a hollow, centrally reinforced plywood surfboard which is lightweight and inexpensive yet stable in operation.

These and other objects, advantages, and features of the subject invention will hereinafter appear, and, for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, exemplary embodiments of the subject invention are shown in the appended drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a water surface device produced in accordance with the subject invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the water surface device;

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of the water surface device;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIGURE 2 and illustrating the unique surfboard construction.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary and partially sectional view (taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 1) of one form of a tow hook attachment arrangement which can be used with the water surface device;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 (but in enlarged perspective) of another form of tow hook attachment arrangement and FIGURES 7A-7D are schematic pictorial series of views showing various positions of :a skier atop a device constructed in accordance with the subject invention.

With reference to the drawings, a water surface device produced in accordance with the subject invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10. The device 10 comprises a center ski 14 and a superstructure surfboard 12 which are interconnected by stilts 16 and 18. The ski 14 is generally similar to a conventional water ski, although it is slightly larger in overall dimensions. The ski 14 is provided with an upwardly extending curved end portion 20 adjacent its front end and with a downwardly extending stabilizing fin 22 adjacent its rear end. The ski 14 and its associated fin 22 may be formed of wood, plastic, or metal in a conventional manner, although a wood structure is preferred.

Bearing collars 24 and 26 are centrally disposed on the ski 14 at spaced longitudinal points. Similarly, bearing collars 28 and 30 are provided in the surfboard 12 in alignment with the respective collars 24 and 26. The stilts 16, 18, which are preferably formed of metal, are received within the spaced pairs of collars 24, 28 and 26,

, I 3 30 so as to maintain the surfboard 12 and center ski 14 in spaced adjacency. Preferably, the stilt 16 is shorter than the stilt 18 so that the surfboard 12 and ski 14 converge and correspondingly diverge at the fore and aft ends respectively. Also, the bearing collars 28 and 30 and the surfboard 12 are preferably provided with threaded means for receiving the threaded ends of the respective stilts 16, 18. Similarly the collars 24 and 26 may be provided with threaded means for receiving the threaded ends of the respective stilts 16, 18, or the stilts 16, 18 may be interconnected with the collars 24, 26 by means of a conventional hitch pin or other suitable fastener (not shown). In this manner, the surfboard 12 may be readily detached from the center ski 14 for storage and transportation. Also, the surfboard 12 may be detached from the stilts 16, 18 and used directly on the water surface itself, if desired, and in one of its aspects the present invention relates to such a use of the surfboard 12 itself. Furthermore, alternate lengths can be provided for the stilts 16, 18 so as to provide for variable spacing between the surfboard 12 and the center ski 14 as required by the need of a particular user. If desired, the stilts 16, 18 can be telescoping tubular constructions so that variable spacing may be achieved without substitution of alternate length stilts (not shown).

In the embodiment described herein, the surfboard 12 is formed from two symmetrical tapered plywood structures 32 and 34, as shown in FIGURE 4. A conventional waterproof bond (e.g., epoxy or phenolic glues) is provided for the peripheral edges of the lamina structures 32 and 34 (as indicated by a broken peripheral line in FIGURE 1) and a supporting rib 36 (preferably wood) is centrally disposed within the hollow spacing between the structures 32 and 34 in abutting relationship with both said structures so as to define hollow ballast interiors on either side thereof, such as the left-hand chamber 38 shown in FIGURE 4. In this manner, the weight and expense of the surfboard 12 (and thereof of the device are decreased without detracting from desired stability and floatability characteristics.

The surfboard 12 may be used per se as a component of the device 10, as hereinafter described. In contrast to conventional surfboards (which usually'take the form of a solid member such as balsa wood), the described surfboard 12 is considerably less expensive to manufacture and is much easier to handle and to ride, due to its lightweight yet sturdy nature.

Two toe supports 40 and 42, preferably formed of rubber, are suitably afiixed to the upper surface of the surfboard 12. By virtue of the inherent stability of the device 10, it is possible to space the toe supports 40 and 42 in a spread apart comfortable position with one of the supports being located ahead of the other in staggered relationship. This arrangement facilitates appropriate balancing of the device 10 in use.

A preferred form of attachment arrangement for interconnecting a towline 52 with the device 10 is illustrated in FIGURE 5. A tow hook receiver 50 is suitably affixed to the upper surface of the surfboard 12 preferably adjacent the bow or forward extremity thereof. The tow hook receiver 50 is' provided with a longitudinally aligned channel groove 56 and with a concave cut-away portion 58 at the rear end of the tow hook receiver 50 on either side of the channel groove 56. A spool member 54 (preferably of floatable material) is aflixed to the towline 52 as by the wrap around winding arrangement illustrated in FIGURE 5. The spool member 54 is normally rigidly positioned relative to the towline 52 but may be adjustably positioned at axially displaced locations on the towline 52 in order to suit the needs of a particular user. The spool member 54 is provided with a convex surface portion 60 which is adapted to mesh with the concave portion 58 of the tow hook re ceiver 50. In use, the towline 52 is positioned within the channel groove 56 of the tow hook receiver 50 with the spool member 54 being located on the rearward side of the tow hook receiver 50.

A second form of attachment arrangement for interconnecting the towline 52 with the device 10 is illustrated in FIGURE 6. A tow hook receiver 50' is suitably afiixed to the upper surface of the surfboard 12 preferably adjacent the bow or forward extremity thereof. The tow hook receiver 50' is provided with a longitudinally aligned channel groove 56' in a generally similar fashion to the previously described tow hook receiver 50 and groove 56. In this embodiment, a rod-shaped spool member 62 is affixed to the towline 52 in thefollowing manner: The towline 52 passes through a shank portion 63 of the spool member 62 and through the hollow interior of a float member '70. Knots 68 and 69 are provided in the towline 52 at opposite extremes of the float member 70 and the spool member 62 so that the spool member 62 is prevented from axial displacement relative to the towline 52. The spool member 62 is provided with a threaded portion 64, and a ball member 66 is threadably received on the threaded portion 64. The exterior surface of the ball member 66 comprises a convex surface portion which is adapted to mesh with a concave portion of the tow hook receiver 50' (not visible in the FIGURE 6 illustration). In use, the threaded portion 64 of the spool member 62 is positioned within the channel groove 56 of the tow hook receiver 50' with the ball member 66 being located on the rearwardside of the tow hook receiver 50'. When the spool memberber 62 is released from the tow hook receiver 50, the float 70 may serve to prevent the towline 52 from being dragged beneath the surface of the Water by virtue of the weight of the spool member 62.

The operation of the water surface device 10 will be described With particular reference to the haulage arrangement illustrated in FIGURE 5, although it should be un derstood that the FIGURE 6 arrangement functions in a generally similar manner. The device 10 is first placed in the water which may be of any depth so long as it is deep enough for the unit to float. The skier places the towrope 52, which is connected to a prime mover vehicle such as a power boat, into the groove 56 of the tow hook receiver 50 which is mounted on the top of the surfboard 12. The skier then clings to the floating surfboard 12 in a crouched position (as illustrated in FIG- URE 7A), and as the prime mover boat starts to move the towrope 52 pays through the roove 56 in the tow hook receiver 50 until the spool member 54 is pulled up tight in the concave seat portion 58 of the tow hook receiver 50. At this point, the tensile pull on the de vice 10 by the towrope 52 is transmitted directly from the prime mover boat through the tow hook receiver 50 to the device 10.

Almost as soon as the device 10 starts to move, the skier can stand in a crouched position (as in FIGURE 7B), and as movement continues the skier may slip his feet into the toe sup-ports 40, 42 mounted on the top of the surfboard 12 (FIGURE 7C). As the prime mover boat picks up speed, the ski 14 climbs out of the water and pushes the surfboard 12 upwardly relative to the surface of the water (the exact height being determined by the length of the stilts 16, 18 and the weight and position of the skier on the surfboard 12). When the surfboard 12 is substantially free of the water surface, the skier may stand straight up and lean backward-1y, pushing his feet firmly into the toe supports 40, 42. By then pulling backwardly on the towline 52, the spool member 54 will slip out from the tow hook receiver 50, and the skier may take up the slack by holding back on the towrope 52. At this point, the tensile pull on the device 10 by the towrope 52 is transmitted indirectly from the prime mover boat to the handle of the towrope 52'and through the skiers body to the device 10.

The device 10 performs much like a slalomski but is easier to handle because the skier is able to stand in a more comfortable position with his feet spread apart and one spaced slightly ahead of the other. If the skier tires, he has the option of slipping the spool member 54 back into the tow hook member 50 and being towed into shore or of casting the towrope 52 free and floating on the device until the boat picks him up.

While the spool member 54 is connected to the tow hook receiver 50, the maneuverability of the device 10 is fairly restricted; however, this is desirable for beginners and for startup operations even when fairly experienced individuals utilize the device 10. Once the spool member 54 is disconnected at the skiers option, the device 10 exhibits fairly free maneuverability. When the described disconnection is effected, the skier may realize a freefloating delicately balanced operation which is tricky and exciting and unique relative to that experienced on any other type of water vehicle. The free-floating ride of the device 10 will exhibit a very quick response to fluctuations in the water surface pattern and will demand of the skier especial skill in maintaining his balance. Alternatively, by operating at relatively slower speeds or by utilizing relatively shorter stilt lengths between the surfboard 12 and the center ski 14, a great deal of support and stability may be furnished by the spray from the center ski 14 splashing against the bottom of the surfboard 12. However, at the previously indicated high speed and high stilt elevation operation, this spray stabilization is not evidenced to as great an extent.

It should be apparent that the surfboard 12 itself may be similarly operated with respect to the described haulage arrangements, except of course for the fact that the surfboard 12 in such instances would ride directly on the Water. Also, the surfboard 12 could be utilized without any haulage arrangement for actual surfing rides, in a manner similar to the conventional utilization of solid surfboards.

From the foregoing it should be appreciated that a novel and versatile surfboard and a water surface device incorporating the same have been described. It should be understood that various changes, alterations, and modifications may be effected in the details of construction and arrangements of the various elements, without departing from the spirit and the scope of the instant invention, as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A water surface device adapted for use with a towrope and comprising:

a center ski;

a surfboard;

stilt means for interconnecting the center ski and the surfboard;

collar means on each of the center ski and the surfboard for detachably affixing the stilt means therebetween such that the center ski and the surfboard may be positioned in spaced adjacency;

tow hook receiver means carried by the surfboard;

and pivot means adapted to pivotally and releasably interconnect the towr-ope to the tow hook receiver means,

whereby tensile pull exerted by the towrope may be selectively applied directly to the water surface device itself or indirectly to the water surface device via a users body.

2. A water surface device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said stilt means comprise two stilt members of unequal length such that the center ski and the surfboard are maintained in nonparallel alignment.

3. A water surface device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the surfboard is provided with a centrally disposed supporting rib and an otherwise hollow interior to decrease the overall weight thereof and to provide bouyancy for the water surface device.

4. A water surface device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tow hook receiver means comprises a tow hook receiver member rigidly carried on the surface portion of the surfboard and wherein the pivot means comprises a socket section on the tow hook receiver member and a ball member rigidly afiixed to the towrope, whereby the ball member may be pivotally and releasably interconnected to the socket portion of the tow hook receiver member.

5. A water surface device adapted for use with a towrope and comprising:

a center ski having an upwardly extending curved end portion adjacent its front end and a downwardly extending stabilizing fin adjacent its rear end;

a surfboard provided with a centrally disposed supporting rib and an otherwise hollow interior to decrease the overall weight thereof and to provide bouyancy thereof;

two sti-lt members of unequal length for interconnecting the center ski and the surfboard;

collar means on each of the center ski and the surfboard for detachably aflixing the stilts therebetween such that the center ski and the surfboard may be positioned in spaced non-parallel alignment;

threaded means interconnecting the stilts and the collar means of the surfboard;

a tow hook receiver member rigidly carried on the surface portion of the surfboard; and

pivot means comprising a socket section on the tow hook receiver member and a ball member rigidly affixed to the towrope so that the ball member maybe pivotally and releasably interconnected to the socket portion of the tow hook receiver member,

whereby tensile pull exerted by the towrope may be selectively applied directly to the water surface device itself or indirectly to the water surface device via a users body.

6. An attachment for facilitating the startup and operation of a Water surface device by means of a towrope tensioned by a prime mover comprising:

a tow hook receiver member affixed to the surface of the water surface device and having a concave socket portion thereupon;

a spool member aflixed to the towrope and having a convex ball portion thereupon, the said convex 'b'all portion being adapted for mating reception in the said concave socket portion for pivotal movement therebetween; and

means adapted for releasably and pivotally interconnecting the convex ball portion of the spool memher and the concave socket portion of the tow hook receiver member, so that tensile pull in one direction on the towrope by the prime mover pivotally seats the spool member in the tow hook receiver member and so that tensile .pull in the opposite direction by the user of the water surface device may serve to detach the towrope from direct engagement with the water surface device.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,323,732 12/19 Allen 9-310 1,872,230 8/32 Blake 9-310 2,936,466 5/60 Szymczyk et al. 9-310 X 2,938,220 5/ 60 iPuckett 9-310 3,127,622 4/64 Drennen 9-3 10 3,147,075 7/ 64 Hill 9-310 FERGUS s. MIDDLETON, Primary Examiner. 

1. A WATER SURFACE DEVICE ADAPTED FOR USE WITH A TOWROPE AND COMPRISING: A CENTER SKI; A SURFBOARD; STILT MEANS FOR INTERCONNECTING THE CENTER SKI AND THE SURFBOARD; COLLAR MEANS ON EACH OF THE CENTER SKI AND THE SURFBOARD FOR DETACHABLY AFFIXING THE STILT MEANS THEREBETWEEN SUCH THAT THE CENTER SKI AND THE SURFBOARD MAY BE POSITIONED IN SPACED ADJACENCY; TOW HOOK RECEIVER MEANS CARRIED BY THE SURFBOARD; AND PIVOT MEANS ADAPTED TO PIVOTALLY AND RELEASABLY INTERCONNECT THE TOWROPE TO THE TOW HOOK RECEIVER MEANS, WHEREBY TENSILE PULL EXERTED BY THE TOWROPE MAY BE SELECTIVELY APPLIED DIRECTLY TO THE WATER SURFACE DEVICE ITSELF OR INDIRECTLY TO THE WATER SURFACE DEVICE VIA A USER''S BODY. 